Attractions Nearby Innsbruck, Day Trips and Excursions

(Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)

Whatever the weather, there are an array of seasonal attractions close to Innsbruck, just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. The many recreational attractions nearby Innsbruck are quite dependent on the weather and in the summer, visitors head to resorts such as Aldrans, Axams, Götzens, Ischgl and Kappl to enjoy some wonderful hiking trails, with views that will almost take your breath away.

However, as soon as the winter snowflakes begin to fall, skiing and snowboarding is on the agenda of most tourists staying in Innsbruck. Nearby villages and towns quickly transform into some of Austria's finest ski resorts, with world-class winter sports attractions, including mile upon mile of ski pistes, jumps, cross-country routes, tobogganing and even bob sledding, for those brave enough to try.

Vent

Close to Innsbruck and home to less than 200 residents, Vent is a small and pretty hamlet, perhaps most famous for being the actual location where a 5,000 year-old Stone Age man was discovered in recent years, completely frozen in the ice and in remarkable condition. The main attractions of Vent are winter-based and include around 15 km / 9 miles of skiing runs, along with some scenic summer hiking trails and a surprising number of hotels.

Aldrans

A popular holiday resort located on the southerly outskirts of Innsbruck, Aldrans is literally just a short drive from the city and offers reasonably priced accommodation with great views. During the winter months, Aldrans becomes a major ski resort, with regular shuttles linking Innsbruck and other nearby Austrian towns and cities. In the summer season, Aldrans lends itself to numerous recreation attractions, such as hiking, cycling and family holidays.

Axams / Birgitz

The resort of Axams is just 10 km / 5 miles from Innsbruck and easy to reach by either car or bus. Axams is famous throughout Austria for its spectacular winter ski slopes of Axamer Lizum, which boast more than 50 km / 31 miles of ski pistes, cross-country routes and toboggan runs. Further skiing and snowboarding attractions are close by within the adjacent and rather rural village of Birgitz.

Götzens

Götzens is one of the biggest holiday resorts in this part of Austria and is a mere 7 km / 4 miles from Innsbruck. With around 4,000 residents in total, Götzens is an enchanting place to stay and features a number of lively cafes and bars, which regularly spill onto the pavements in the summer. From December onwards, Götzens quickly fills up with lovers of winter sports, who flock here to enjoy the 40-km / 25-miles of pistes, along with the local ski school and exciting toboggan run.

Hall

The historic town of Hall is to be found around 10 km / 6 miles from Innsbruck and affords the perfect day out. Amongst the many attractions, the Town Hall stands out as one of the most impressive and dominates the Oberer Stadtplatz, dating back to the early part of the 14th century. Hall is also a great place for an afternoon's shopping and is home to a number of interesting museums, which celebrate its mining past and silver minting.

Igls

Perhaps one of the most exclusive ski resorts in Austria, Igls is located roughly 5 km / 3 miles from Innsbruck and enjoys a particularly spectacular setting, beneath the Patscherkofel Mountain. The famous Olympic bobsleigh run is just one of the many attractions within Igls. Regular seasonal events take place all through the year at Igls, so it is always worth checking to see if there is anything of interest taking place during your stay.

Ischgl

Ischgl is a leading winter resort and is so close to Innsbruck that many people come here for just a day trip. If you are lucky you may be able to attend one of the legendary 'Top of the Mountain' concerts, which are a particularly unexpected attraction and in the past have included some truly world-class rock artists, including none other than Jon Bon Jovi and Tina Turner. With more than 40 ski lifts and 200 km / 124 miles of ski runs, there is plenty on offer to suit skiers of all abilities.

Kappl

Those looking for skiing facilities at their very best should consider a winter trip to Kappl, close to Innsbruck. Here you will find modern chair lifts, which transport all levels of skier to the top of the 2,700-metre / 8,860-foot mountain. The winter attractions are the main drawcard for Kappl and also include an acclaimed natural toboggan course, which stretches for no less than 12 km / 7 miles and offers perhaps the ultimate adrenaline rush.